'Green' flight demonstrates sustainability progress
The Asia and Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions (ASPIRE) says United Airlines’ inaugural San Francisco to Auckland
flight which touched down at Auckland Airport this morning demonstrates the great leaps being made towards a more
sustainable aviation industry.
ASPIRE is a partnership of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and airlines from the Asia Pacific region which have
been working since 2008 to develop flight procedures and standards which limit fuel burn and carbon emissions. These
encompass all phases of flight from gate-to-gate, delivering environmental best practice at every stage.
During the inaugural flight, United Airlines utilised ASPIRE best practices including user preferred route and dynamic
airborne re-route procedures. These procedures allowed the aircraft to follow a flexible fuel efficient flight path that
could be changed at various stages to take advantage of favourable winds. Air traffic controllers on the ground in San
Francisco and Auckland managed the flight's arrival and departure to ensure optimal efficiency at this stage.
ASPIRE Chair and Airways New Zealand Head of Auckland Operations Tim Boyle says the flight is a great indicator of the
advancements made in the last decade towards more sustainable air travel.
United operated a 787-800 aircraft for the service.
"Due to technological advances and aircraft improvements, United’s CO2 emissions per passenger on flights to Auckland
will be reduced by more than 20% versus when United previously flew to the country in 2003,” Mr Boyle says. “During that
same time period, air traffic organisations have modernised their capabilities to allow airlines to gain the maximum
advantage from their modern fleets.”
United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer Jim Compton says: “We understand the importance of reducing
our carbon footprint, even as we expand our global network. Working with ASPIRE is just one way we’re demonstrating our
environmental leadership within the industry.”
Asia Pacific is experiencing unprecedented levels of air traffic growth. By 2030, air traffic movements are expected to
double within the region and enabling this growth in a sustainable way is a significant challenge for the aviation
industry as a whole, Mr Boyle says.
“ASPIRE is a tangible example of the committed approach from aircraft manufacturers, airlines and ANSPs to manage the
environmental outcomes of growth and ensure the sustainability of air travel," he says.
Data and metrics from today’s flight will be assessed to establish its overall efficiency.
“United is one of the founding airline partners of ASPIRE and it is really pleasing that the airline has chosen to make
its inaugural service to Auckland an ASPIRE demonstration flight.” Mr Boyle says.
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